Williamsburg, Massachusetts Facts for Kids

On the morning of May 16, 1874, a flood along Williamsburg's Mill River claimed 139 lives and left nearly 800 victims homeless throughout Hampshire County. The deluge occurred when the Williamsburg Reservoir Dam unexpectedly burst, sending a twenty-foot wall of water surging into the valley below. Every town and village along the river's normally placid flow was soon devastated by the great rush of water. Much of the flood's force was abated in Northampton, Massachusetts, at the Mill River's confluence with the Connecticut River. Located over twelve miles from the breached dam in Williamsburg, Northampton was the last town to experience the flood's fury, with four additional victims swept away in the swell.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 25.7 square miles (67 km²), of which 25.6 square miles (66 km²) is land and 0.1 square miles (0.26 km²) (0.35%) is water. The town also includes the villages of Haydenville and Searsville.

Demographics

Historical population
Year	Pop.	±%
1850	1,537	—
1860	2,095	+36.3%
1870	2,159	+3.1%
1880	2,234	+3.5%
1890	2,057	−7.9%
1900	1,926	−6.4%
1910	2,132	+10.7%
1920	1,866	−12.5%
1930	1,801	−3.5%
1940	1,684	−6.5%
1950	2,056	+22.1%
1960	2,186	+6.3%
1970	2,342	+7.1%
1980	2,237	−4.5%
1990	2,515	+12.4%
2000	2,427	−3.5%
2010	2,482	+2.3%
2020	2,504	+0.9%
* = population estimate. Source: United States Census records and Population Estimates Program data.

As of the census of 2000, there were 2,427 people, 1,027 households, and 658 families residing in the town. The population density was 94.7 people per square mile (36.6/km²). There were 1,073 housing units at an average density of 41.9 per square mile (16.2/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.94% White, 0.25% African American, 0.08% Native American, 0.49% Asian, 0.16% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.66% of the population.

There were 1,027 households, out of which 29.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.7% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.9% were non-families. 25.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 21.3% under the age of 18, 5.0% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 31.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.2 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $47,250, and the median income for a family was $55,833. Males had a median income of $36,977 versus $28,906 for females. The per capita income for the town was $25,813. About 1.2% of families and 5.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.9% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.

Williamsburg is known in the region for its quaint town center which includes the Williamsburg General Store, the Williamsburg Market, the Meekins Library and the town Post Office.

Notable people

Chris Collingwood, lead singer of pop-punk band Fountains of Wayne
Alice Hall Farnsworth, astronomer
Fay Jones, American artist
Tracy Kidder, author and Pulitzer Prize winner
Patricia MacLachlan, author of best-selling books such as Sarah, Plain and Tall
Argalus Starks, Wisconsin state legislator
Sarah Thomas, Vice President for Libraries, Harvard University
Edward Thorndike, prominent educational psychologist and eugenicist
Bob Toski, golfer and teaching professional, winner of 11 professional golf tournaments

Images for kids

Print of Haydenville from 1886 by L.R Burleigh with listing of landmarks depicted

Williamsburg, Massachusetts facts for kids

Contents

History

The Mill River Flood

Geography

Demographics

Notable people

Images for kids

See also